updated 01:30 pm EST, Tue January 6, 2009

iWork '09 at MW09

Complementing its iLife '09 debut, Apple has announced iWork '09, an upgraded productivity suite. The suite's presentation app, Keynote '09, has been enhanced with a new Magic Move feature, which lets users pick the start- and endpoints of objects, and in turn generate transitions automatically; some new transitions include text types such as swings and shimmering, and chart types like slides and rotations. New themes have been added, and users can now manage Keynote presentations from an iPhone or iPod touch. The Keynote Remote app is selling for 99 cents at the App Store.

Pages '09 has been improved with a full-screen view that removes distractions, and a dynamic outline component, which lets users tweak graphics and font sizes in addition to the overall structure of a document. Users can perform mail merges incorporating Numbers and Address Book data, and the software is also being bundled with 40 new templates as well as MathType and EndNote support.

Lastly, Numbers '09 has been upgraded with table categories, more complex chart options (such as mixed types), and easier formula writing, which lets users search for functions and paste them in. Charts can be crosslinked with Pages documents for automatic updating, and a collection of chart templates are now provided by default.

The iWork '09 suite is now shipping through the online Apple Store at a standard cost of $79 for individuals, or $99 for families. The software is being discounted to $49 with the purchase of a new Mac.

Apple is also introducing a new Mac Box Set for $169 that includes Mac OS X Leopard, iLife '09 and iWork '09 in one package.

iTunes remote for iPhone is free, 0.99 for keynote remote is cheapass.

No new mini? Weaksauce.

No wonder teh Steev didn't bother to show up.

Still, that new combo deal looks interesting, especially if I get teh sweet corporate discount on it.. And with the extra Leopard license, I can stick the Apple label on a clone and install via EFI-X..

The Remote is for iTunes, and to a lesser extent AppleTV. However, Keynote is retail software and there could be some far-out accounting principle that requires them to charge for anything 'extra' out of the box.

Remember the $1.99 802.11n Enabler for the Macbooks? Same thing I guess.

What are you complaining about folks? This keynote is EXACTLY why Apple is pulling out of Macworld. They can't stay on Macworld's schedule for product development.

Apple has already shown with it'd development of Snow Leopard that they are at a maturing point where they will no longer try to pull a rabbit out of a hat but slow down and make their products better.

They have nothing else to shock people with so soon between intervals of product updates. I'm glad to see Apple becoming more "serious" and make sure they have a solid product line rather than coast on the WOW factor.

As a professional lecturer, I immediately downloaded the new trial Keynote version. I use Keynote to the hilt and the new additions seem interesting and useful. But dear oh dear Apple. Please fix glaring problems at least between full versions. Try an object action build which you rotate. Fine. Now add a reflection... The reflection rotates around the object as IT rotates, which is plain rubbish. This error is brought over to the "magic move" transformation too... Still, I expect to be using this version from now on, given that it soars above anything that Powerpoint has to offer. I still get that pleasant feeling as I see my students' eyes pop when they see my presentations...